Grammy-nominated pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter has officially signed on to star in and produce a major studio musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic “Alice in Wonderland” for Universal Pictures, marking a significant milestone in her entertainment career. The announcement, confirmed November 11, 2025, represents Carpenter’s first leading role in a major studio feature film, transitioning from her successful music career to tackle one of literature’s most beloved characters.
The untitled musical project will be written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the 2019 Jennifer Lopez crime drama “Hustlers,” which earned over $100 million at the North American box office. Industry sources describe the film as a “passion project” for the 26-year-old Carpenter, who reportedly approached Universal executives in 2024 with a detailed creative vision and comprehensive lookbook outlining her interpretation of Carroll’s Victorian-era fantasy tale.
High-Profile Production Team Assembles
The production brings together significant industry talent, with Marc Platt attached as producer through his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions. Platt, whose extensive credits include “Legally Blonde,” “La La Land,” and both the Broadway and screen adaptations of “Wicked,” brings considerable musical theater expertise to the project. His involvement comes as Universal prepares to release “Wicked: For Good,” the second installment of the “Wicked” film series, on November 21, 2025.
Joining the production team are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, the company behind successful television properties including “Gossip Girl” and “Pretty Little Liars.” Universal’s senior vice president of production development Ryan Jones and director of production development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the studio, with Katie McNicol shepherding development for Marc Platt Productions.
From Netflix Origins to Universal Studio System
The current project represents a significant evolution from Carpenter’s earlier attempts to bring Alice in Wonderland to screen. In 2020, her production company At Last Productions secured rights to develop an Alice in Wonderland musical with Netflix as the original distributor. That initial version, reportedly titled “Alice,” was conceived as a contemporary reimagining centered around a music festival called “Wonderland,” with screenwriter Ross Evans attached to the project.
However, the Netflix iteration never materialized, leaving Carpenter’s creative vision unrealized until her direct approach to Universal executives last year. The migration from streaming platform to major studio represents both the growing confidence in Carpenter’s star power and Universal’s commitment to high-profile musical adaptations following their success with properties like “Mamma Mia!” and “Les Misérables.”
Carpenter’s Artistic Evolution and Grammy Recognition
The Alice in Wonderland announcement arrives just one week after Carpenter received six nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, including prestigious categories such as album of the year and best pop vocal album for “Man’s Best Friend,” her seventh studio album. Additional nominations recognize her single “Manchild” for song of the year, record of the year, best pop solo performance, and best music video.
Carpenter’s meteoric rise in popular music began with her 2024 album “Short n’ Sweet,” which achieved Billboard 200 chart-topping status and spawned hit singles including “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” The commercial and critical success established her as one of pop music’s most prominent emerging artists, with her “Short n’ Sweet” tour selling out major venues including Madison Square Garden.
In a 2021 interview, Carpenter revealed her long-standing connection to the Alice in Wonderland story, calling it one of her favorite movies and noting that fans frequently gifted her Alice-themed items. “Someone actually sent me an original illustration from one of the original sketches from Alice in Wonderland, which is crazy,” she shared, demonstrating the personal significance of the material.
Universal’s Strategic Musical Theater Investment
Universal’s decision to greenlight the Alice in Wonderland musical represents a calculated investment in the musical theater film market, particularly following the billion-dollar success of Tim Burton’s 2010 “Alice in Wonderland” starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. That film grossed over $1 billion worldwide, though its 2016 sequel “Alice Through the Looking Glass” performed less successfully with approximately $300 million in global earnings.
The studio’s approach differs significantly from previous adaptations, as Lewis Carroll’s original work exists in the public domain, allowing creative freedom while avoiding the Disney association that has historically defined many Alice in Wonderland interpretations. The 1951 animated Disney classic remains the most recognizable adaptation for many audiences, creating both opportunity and challenge for Universal’s fresh approach.
Industry analysts note Universal’s increasing commitment to musical properties, particularly following the commercial success of “Wicked” and growing audience appetite for theatrical adaptations. The collaboration with Marc Platt, whose production company maintains an exclusive relationship with Universal, signals the studio’s confidence in musical theater’s continued commercial viability.
Scafaria’s Creative Direction
Lorene Scafaria’s attachment as writer and director brings significant creative credibility to the project. Beyond “Hustlers,” her directorial credits include “The Meddler” and “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,” demonstrating range across dramatic and comedic genres. Her recent television work includes directing the pilot and additional episodes of HBO’s “I Love LA,” starring Rachel Sennott, and multiple episodes of the critically acclaimed series “Succession.”
Scafaria also brings screenwriting experience from earlier career phases, having penned scripts for “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” among other projects. Her selection suggests Universal’s interest in a sophisticated, character-driven approach to the beloved source material, potentially targeting both family audiences and adult demographics who appreciate nuanced storytelling.
Carpenter’s Acting Background and Industry Transition
While primarily known for her musical achievements, Carpenter possesses substantial acting experience dating to her teenage years. Her most prominent role was Maya Hart on Disney Channel’s “Girl Meets World” from 2014 to 2017, which served as a sequel series to the popular 1990s show “Boy Meets World.” This Disney Channel connection provided early exposure to family entertainment production processes and musical performance integration.
Subsequent film credits include supporting roles in “The Hate U Give” (2018), the Netflix “Tall Girl” series, “Clouds” (2020), and “Emergency” (2022). Her most recent announced project is a guest starring role in an upcoming Disney+ Muppet Show special scheduled for 2026, maintaining connections across multiple entertainment platforms.
Industry observers note Carpenter’s natural transition between acting and music, skills that prove essential for musical theater adaptations requiring both dramatic performance and vocal excellence. Her demonstrated ability to develop character-driven music videos, particularly for singles from “Short n’ Sweet,” suggests strong visual storytelling instincts that could translate effectively to feature film work.
Production Timeline and Industry Context
While specific production timelines remain unannounced, the project’s development phase is expected to continue through early 2026, with principal photography potentially beginning later that year depending on Carpenter’s touring schedule and other commitments. The collaboration represents a significant scheduling coordination effort, as Carpenter recently announced additional North American tour dates for her “Short n’ Sweet” tour, including six shows at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
The Alice in Wonderland announcement comes during a period of renewed interest in musical adaptations, with successful releases including “In the Heights,” “West Side Story,” and “Dear Evan Hansen” demonstrating both opportunities and challenges in the genre. Universal’s investment suggests confidence in Carpenter’s ability to attract both existing fans and broader audiences seeking high-quality musical entertainment.
Representation for Carpenter includes Bill Perlman and Darci Price at Foundation Media Partners, Janelle Lopez Genzink, Amy Davidson, and Merce Jessor at Volara Management, and Stephanie Ramsey at Paradigm Talent. Scafaria is represented by UTA, Narrative, and Dern Weber.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Sabrina Carpenter’s Alice in Wonderland movie be released?
Universal Pictures has not announced a specific release date for the Alice in Wonderland musical. The project is currently in early development phases, with production timelines expected to be determined based on script completion and Carpenter’s availability between touring commitments.
Will this be Sabrina Carpenter’s first major movie role?
Yes, the Alice in Wonderland musical will mark Carpenter’s first time leading a major studio film. While she has previous acting experience in television and supporting film roles, this Universal Pictures project represents her most significant screen opportunity to date.
How is this different from previous Alice in Wonderland movies?
This adaptation will be Universal’s first interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s classic story, distinguishing it from Disney’s animated and live-action versions. The focus on musical theater elements and Carpenter’s contemporary pop sensibilities are expected to create a unique interpretation of the beloved tale.
Who else will be in the cast of the Alice in Wonderland musical?
Cast details beyond Sabrina Carpenter have not been announced. The project is still in early development, and additional casting information is expected to be revealed as production moves forward.
Is Marc Platt producing other major musicals besides Alice in Wonderland?
Marc Platt is currently producing “Wicked: For Good,” the second part of the “Wicked” film adaptation, which releases November 21, 2025. His extensive musical theater background includes both Broadway productions and film adaptations like “La La Land” and “Legally Blonde.”